Wednesday, 19 April 2017

There are plenty of challenges around. A recent one was #oneweek100 people; there's the 365 day drawing challenge; Celebrate ink in Inktober, etc. Frequently, I have started a challenge with enthusiasm and optimism only to abandon it halfway through. Sometimes it was due to the choice of prompts which were uninspiring (to me) sometimes other matters took priority.

When the Sktchy app came up with #Sktchy30 I thought that it was something I could achieve more easily than most of the other challenges. Each day a prompt from Sktchy arrives in my inbox. As an example, describe the rituals that get you creating; incorporating play into your work; the use of colour; describe your workplace/studio environment.

Since the email arrives in Australia in the afternoon(early morning in the US) most of the day has passed before the prompt arrives. I prefer to start drawing early or even the day before which make using the prompt difficult. So I decided from the beginning to create my own challenge:

to see if I could use a different medium or try a different technique each day.

If time was an issue on a particular day then the sketch would be quick 5/10 minutes

If I had more time on another day, and had already completed a sketch, I would start something more ambitious to complete another day.

If I'm working later in the day and I can incorporate the prompt that is a bonus. So far the prompts have been more motivational than a specific theme or subject and my plan is working. I also remembered a toned sketchbook that I had hardly used. Experimenting with various mediums on this surface has been an interesting exercise. I think I might even grow fond of the paper!

Friday, 7 April 2017

It's said that a dog is man's best friend, and that is true for a recent commission. I was asked to paint a special double portrait as a birthday gift, featuring a young man and his best friend Tommie.

I used a couple of different photographs for this ink and watercolour sketch. I was able to combine the best photo of each of my subjects for the final composition.

I love creating paintings to commemorate a special friendship.

Brendan and Tommie - ink and watercolour 8" x 8"

Framed and wrapped, ready for delivery - and yes, I always forgot to take a photo before the cellophane goes on...